Number of operations cancelled for ‘non-clinical’ reasons by NHS in England hits 15-year high

Latest figures reveal eight per cent of patients in 2016 were not treated within 28 days of a cancellation – the highest proportion since 2005

By SHAUN WOOLLER

11th February 2017, 2:15 am

Updated: 11th February 2017, 2:15 am

THE NUMBER of operations cancelled by the NHS in England hit a 15-year high last year.

A total of 82,730 planned operations were cancelled at the last minute for non-clinical reasons, figures show.

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The number of operations cancelled by the NHS in England hit a 15-year high

That is a jump of 16 per cent on 2015, and a third higher than in 2010.

The latest figures from NHS England show 8 per cent of patients in 2016 were not treated within 28 days of a cancellation – the highest proportion since 2005.

That is despite the NHS constitution stating they should be offered “another binding date within 28 days, or the patient’s treatment to be funded at the time and hospital of the patient’s choice”.

The total number of cancelled operations in 2016 was the second highest on record, roughly 4,000 short of the highest of 86,746 in 2001.

Clare Marx, President of the Royal College of Surgeons, said: “Cancelling operations for non-clinical reasons means patients wait longer, causing stress for them and their families.

“In some cases we know patients deteriorate or develop complications and their outcomes are often worse the longer they wait for treatment.

“Last minute cancellations are just the tip of the iceberg. Many more patients are cancelled in the days before their operation is due.

“It is heart-breaking for patients to psychologically prepare themselves for an operation, only to be told that it can’t go ahead.

“Often it is because there are no free beds either due to increased emergency admissions or slow discharge of patients who are fit to leave hospital but have no community care or home support to go to.

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The total number of cancelled operations in 2016 was the second highest on record, roughly 4,000 short of the highest of 86,746 in 2001

“Continuing down this road is inefficient and distressing to patients and staff alike.”

Other figures released show pressures on the NHS have intensified again, following two weeks when performance stabilised.

Average bed occupancy for the week ending February 5, was at 96 per cent – well above the safety threshold of 85 per cent.

The number of high alerts – indicating serious operational pressures – rose to 208, up nearly 60 per cent on the previous week.

Attendances at A&E were close to the highest levels this winter and there was a rise in emergency admissions.

The number of beds closed because of vomiting and diarrhoea bug norovirus averaged 777 a day – up from 528 at the same point last year.

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Figures released show pressures on the NHS have intensified, following two weeks when performance stabilised

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Dr Chris Moulton, from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: “It is beyond dispute that this situation puts the safety of patients at risk.

“All of this is taking place against a background of extreme financial and resource pressures.

“Despite the fact that bed occupancy rates are now above 95 per cent, that Delayed Transfers of Care now account for almost a third of acute bed stock in some cases, and four hour standard performance is falling, acute bed capacity has now declined for each of the last four weeks.

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The number of high alerts – indicating serious operational pressures – rose to 208, up nearly 60 per cent on the previous week

“Given that research previously published in the British Medical Journal has clearly shown that bed occupancy rates above 85 per cent place patients at ‘considerable risk’, the logical conclusion is that this situation is being driven above all else by the pressing need to control costs rather than treat patients.

“This needs to be reversed.

“Action is desperately needed to get us back on an even keel, and rescue patients – and staff – from the increasingly miserable conditions.”

Locum rip-off

SKINT hospitals are being ripped off by stand-in doctors who demand fees of up to £4,000 a day, a watchdog said.
A total of £3.7billion was spent last year on locums to cover absences and vacancies, according to The Times.
NHS Improvement called for the money to be spent recruiting “more hands on deck”.